South Australia’s Sheffield Shield hero Jason Sangha joins Adelaide Strikers

It’s a BBL recruiting coup for the Adelaide T20 side, writes Andrew Capel.

South Australia’s Sheffield Shield final hero Jason Sangha is poised to add to his new hometown legacy.

A month after scoring an unbeaten century in the final to lead SA to its first Sheffield Shield triumph in 29 years, Sangha has swapped his Thunder green for Striker blue and will ply his BBL trade in Adelaide for the next two seasons.

The 25-year-old New South Welshman’s T20 signature is a recruiting coup for the Strikers and SA cricket, with Sangha firmly establishing South Australia as his new home.

“I moved to South Australia last year for my red-ball cricket and I thought it had a really positive impact (on his career), the move has been awesome for me, helping me take my game to the next level,’’ Sangha said after inking his Adelaide Strikers deal.

“Everyone here loves cricket and I’ve loved living here, training here, being a part of South Australian cricket and representing the state. That’s helped me have success in red-ball cricket and I think it’s time for a change in the white-ball scene as well.

“I’ve been at the Thunder for a long time and was ready for a change and I can’t wait to keep playing at the Adelaide Oval and seeing what I can do for the Strikers.

“Adelaide Oval is one of the best batting grounds in the country, so it was a bit of a no-brainer for me to play here more regularly, being a top-order batter.

Jason Sangha in his new Adelaide Strikers kit at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Dean Martin

“I’ve also been a part of two New Year’s games here (playing for Sydney Thunder) and to know that there is going to be 40,000-45,000 fans here on that night supporting the Strikers is awesome.’’

One-time boy wonder Sangha etched his name into SA cricket history by hitting the winning

runs in the team’s Sheffield Shield victory against Queensland at Karen Rolton Oval last month, snapping a near three decade Shield drought.

Sangha finished unbeaten on 126, with his match-winning innings featuring 16 boundaries and two sixes, as SA produced the highest successful run chase in Shield final history, passing the Bulls’ target of 270 for the loss of six wickets.

Sangha, who joined SA at the end of the 2023-24 season and had to fight his way into the side through strong performances with his club side Kensington in Premier Cricket, finished the Shield campaign with 704 runs at the elite average of 78.22, with three hundreds and three fifties, in six matches.

Only one player posted a better Shield average during the summer – Sangha’s fellow Shield final centurion and Australia Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey (82.33).

Sangha said SA had saved his career after he had lost his place in the New South Wales line-up.

“I thought my career was over but South Australia gave me a second chance,’’ he said after the final.

“I owe them everything, really. They have saved my career.”

Jason Sangha celebrates after scoring the winning runs for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield final against Queensland at Karen Rolton Oval. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

But Sangha is more than just a first-class player.

He has proven to be a high-quality T20 batsman who can also bowl handy leg-spin.

The former Australia under-19s captain was originally signed by the Thunder as a community rookie at just 16.

Sangha played 34 BBL matches for the Thunder after making his debut in 2018-19, scoring 836 runs at an average of 32.15 and strike rate of 121.15, with six fifties and a highest score of 91.

He produced his best Big Bash campaign in 2021-22 when he scored 445 runs in 12 matches.

Sangha has captained the Thunder and represented it in last season’s BBL final loss to the Hobart Hurricanes, making a rapid-fire 67 off 42 balls in the final.

“I’ve always felt my T20 game has been in a pretty good place and that at times maybe I’ve lacked a bit of opportunity,’’ Sangha said of his BBL talents.

“At the same time, there have been times during my career where I haven’t grabbed my opportunities, but getting the chance to play regularly at Adelaide Oval, which is the best place to bat, was really appealing.’’

Jason Sangha is mobbed by joyous fans after steering South Australia to its first Sheffield Shield title in 29 years at Karen Rolton Oval last month. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Strikers talent and list manager Shaun Williams described Sangha’s signing as “exciting’’.

“Jason’s talent and dedication on the field are well known and his impressive track record speaks volumes about his potential,’’ Williams said.

“Not only has he demonstrated remarkable skill, but his leadership qualities and work ethic are exceptional and we believe he will bring a new energy to our team and contribute to our overall success.’’

Originally published as South Australia’s Sheffield Shield hero Jason Sangha joins Adelaide Strikers